She's Come Undone

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Summary: Vivid images and language of the female psyche=EXCELLENCE
Review: Wally Lamb knows the female mind better than I do! I could NOT believe that such a powerful character as Dolores was created by a man; I have never read richer descriptions of female thinking patterns in my life. Wally Lamb wrote about Dolores's adolescent years better than I could have written about my own. Like Dolores, I have dealt with weight problems and the shame it brings. Dolores was one of the most sincere, realistic fictional characters I have ever read about. I also found myself contemplating the significance of the characters' names as I read the story. The name Dolores, derived from the word DOLOR--heavy sadness and grief--a perfect name for her character. And her last name is also of significance--PRICE--everything she did seemed to have cost her yet another shred of her sanity. Consider Dante's name--DANTE=the classical poet who penned "The Inferno." In "The Inferno," an uneducated Dante (much like the one in UNDONE) is led through the circles of Hell by his guide, the poet Virgil. Dante, Dolores's husband, was led into hell also--Dolores's hell. I found his use of names to be very insightful to the characters and their situations. I adored this book, and if I could nominate it for a Critic's Award, I certainly would. A must-read for any woman who's ever felt like she was coming undone.

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Summary: A catharsis for anyone who has ever been profoundly rejected
Review: Did I miss anybody? Those who pan this book will be exposing themselves as shallow eshewers of introspection. You don't have to be a fatty or an ex-fatty to appreciate the issues here. "Weight" is merely a metaphor and, as it turns out, a very good one. This book is about the struggle to connect back with humanity after the bottom falls out of one's life. The ending is appropriately bittersweet (more sweet than bitter in my book). We don't choose our families of birth but life often gives us a chance to choose others who support and enrich our lives. BTW, I'm still waiting to see if the medical exam reveals Mr. Lamb's hidden ovaries

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Summary: Fantastic! Could not put it down!
Review: This book was one of the best books I've read this year. The tragic story of a young girl's journey to adulthood and the events that shaped her life. I felt such saddness for Dolores and how she had to deal with the cruelity of her peers and the adults in her life. This book was one that I could not stop reading. Every page takes the reader on another path of dysfunction. Highly recommend this book for those who love fiction

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Summary: Moving!
Review: A moving book that explores a sad life. Can build empathy for people. Well-deserved acclaim

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Summary: A nation of sheep buy Lamb.
Review: Oprah says it's great -- and it's a bestseller. Can someone tell me what made Oprah a writing expert? When will people realize the Empress has no clothes. The book, needless to say, was a disappointment. Oprah, apparently, enjoys basking in the depressing

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Summary: TWO THUMBS UP ! !
Review: Actually, what attracted me to this book, was that it had a beautiful cover. But, I am so glad that I read it. This is a story of Dolores Price's life. She went through so many ups and downs (downs more than ups). When reading this book, I got hooked after the first chapter. There are so many issues discussed. From obesity, abortions, rapes, to homosexuals, etc. I recommend this book to all women. Wally Lamb writes this story exactly in the eyes of any female. He is definitely a very skilled writer. Please, write another!! I can't wait

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Summary: Painful, yet enlightening....
Review: I had heard several good things about "She's Come Undone" so it was no surprise to me that I picked it up. However, coming from a family built on dysfunctional qualities, I felt sure to be overwhelmed by the trials and tribulations of our leading lady. That was NOT the case. Although Dolores' life seemed bleak and pontless at times, there was always a little part of her that tried to emerge, unscathed. That little "glimmer" of Dolores is what kept me rooting for her. Here was a distraught young women who lived through terrible circumstances only to become stronger in the long run. And to think that this bundle of hormones was written by a man! Kudos to Wally Lamb for creating a strong female character that reaches for life instead of a large bottle if Midol.

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Summary: Why was I so anxious to read this book?
Review: Since I live overseas as a military wife, I anxiously awaited the arrival of this book to our little bookstore. I now wonder why I felt that way. This book takes the reader on a depressing journey through the life of one of the most dysfunctional characters I've ever met! Abandoned by her father, neglected by a neurotic mother & grandmother, massive weight gain, virtually friendless; I could go on and on, but you get the idea! Yes, the writer does share a few entertaining moments and poignant memories; thankfully they were interspersed at just the right moments to keep this reader moderately interested.

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Summary: The tragically believable account of a young womans life.
Review: This book seems like an autobiography for so many adolescents. The main character, Dolores, is a young girl struggling to come to terms with the domestic violence in her household, her parents divorce and her mother's subsequent breakdown. Just when things may return to some balance for her she is assaulted and suffers the aftereffects of the assault throughout the rest of the book. This book goes into her mind and shows us that even when the world deals us the most cruel hand we can survive. You'll be cheering for her in the end

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Summary: I loved to hate Dolores and hated to love her
Review: Dolores is like so many of us who struggle with relationships -- mother/daughter, father/daughter, man/woman -- and she continues to struggle along with us. It surprises me that a man could speak in voice of a woman so sincerely. This book really moved me because Dolores is my sister, she is me, she is my friend -- she's someone we all know. She isn't all good but she isn't all bad either. She can't put down the Twinkies and she can't make the right decisions all the time -- but at least she tries. And yes, she's human just like the rest of us